Livestock prod



W. my

2 5 w w a M m 1 i 6 J 6 3 0/ 5 fi 1 J. JUERGENS LIVESTOCK PROD Filed 001. 29, 1948 July 17, 1951 Patented July 17, 1951 LIVESTOCK PROD John Juergens, McHenry, Ill assignor to Leterstone Sales 00., a corporation of Illinois Application October 29, 1948, Serial No. 57,273

The present invention relates to. a prod for livestock and more particularly to an improved prod of the type which applies a high potential electric shock to the livestock.

1i Heretofore it has been proposed to provide a prod for livestock and in particular, cattle, which would urge on the livestock by the application of a high potential electric shock whenever the usual physical prodding fails to provide satisfactory results. Heretofore, however, such attempts in providing a prod of this type have been productive of a relatively heavy device which wasburdensometo carry and difficult to manipulate.

In'accordance with the present invention it is proposed to provide an improved prod for live-.

stock which is simple and economical to manufacture.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved prod for livestock which is light ixilweight and .yet sufiiciently strong to withstand impact and shock when the prod is used to apply physical force to an animal.

5, Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved electric prod for shocking livestock.

Y ';:An0ther object of the present invention is to provide a combination electric prod and flashli ht.

.Still another object of the present invention is to provide in an improved prod a simple electric switch for controlling the operation of the prod.

Other and further objects of the present invention subsequently will become apparent by referenceto the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein: Y

Fig. l 'is a plan view of a prod for livestock constructed in accordance with the present invention;

."Fig. 2 is a view partially in cross-section as seenin the direction of the arrows along the line 2-2of Fig. 1;

P Fig. 3 is an end view of the head of the prod;

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view as seen in the direction of the arrows along the line 4-4 of Fig.2; I

:Figt fi is a cross-sectional View as seen in the direction of the arrows along the line 5-5 of Fig; 4';'and' s Fig. 6 is a diagram of the electric circuit of the prod.

Referring to the drawings it will be noted that they prod constructed in accordance with the present invention comprises a handle portion II hav-' inganend-capfl which supports a-carrying. loop.

3 Claims. (01. 231- 2) I3. The handle portion II also has a push button I4 which extends outwardly to both the sides of the handle I I for selective operation in either direction to control the application of power for shocking purposes or to energizean electric bulb.

The handle portion I I is connected to a tubular: extension I by a resilient portion I6 which may be in the form of a closely coiled spring connector.

At the outer extremity of the tubular extension I5 there is located a prod head H which is used to apply high potential current to an animal where the animal requires more persuasion than.

can be applied by a physical thrust of the prod. As may be seen from the dotted line representations in Fig. 1 the resilient spring connector I6 permits the prod to be used in a physical manner including an action similar to the use of a whip or stick. Due to the fact that the entire device is constructed so as to minimize weight as much as possible the resilient connection I5 prevents. the application of any force sufficient to damage the prod.

It will be noted from Figs. 1, 2 and 3 that the prod head I1 is constructed of an insulating ma terial of two similar portions I8 and I9 retained in position on the extremity of the tubular extension I5 by a clip ring 2I.

In addition to the ring 2| the head portions I8 and I9 are held together by metal rings 22 and 23. The metal ring 22 has a periphery provided with sharp points, and the ring is connected by means of a spring 24 to an inner metal cup 25 which is in electrical conductivity with the tubular extension I5. The outer edge of the cup 25 is also provided with a number of points asis apparent from Fig. 3. the extremity of the tubular member I5 serve as a socket for an electric bulb 26 which may be pro.- .The;

tected by a lens 21 carried by the cup 25. ring 23 which is provided with points extending laterally and vertically in Fig. 2 is connected by.

an electrical conductor 28 to an induction coil 2.9.

The electric bulb 26 which is of the single contact variety is connected through a spring and electric conductor (H which is connected to a contact of the switch 32 which is actuated by the The cup 25 together with:

Preferably, the handle member H is in the form of an insulated tubular member which carries within its interior a support frame 39 and 4| which supports the switch structure 32 and also the induction coil 29.

The manner in which the switch structure 32 is supported will become apparent from a description of the details or" the switch as illustrated more particularly in Figs. 4 and 5. The support members 39 and H are provided with suitable slots for receiving the extremities of two transversely arranged strips of insulating material 42 and 43 forming a portion of the switch 32. The insulating strip 42 carries a pair of switch contacts 44 one of which is provided with a magnetic armature 45 adapted to be vibrated by the core of the induction coil 29. One of the switch contacts of the pair of contacts 44 is electrically connected to a contact 46 which projects at right angles through the insulating member 42 for cooperation with a movable switch blade 41, normally biased to open circuit position, which is actuated by the push button 14. The movable switch blade; 4.!- formed of resilient metal has a. vertically extending portion which is engaged by 10mm into the rod. The movable blade 41 is a portion of a conductive strip mechanically carried bythe insulating member 43. In Figure 4 it. will be seenthatthis strip 4'! extends underneath the insulating member 43 and an upturned portion isheld on the member 43 by a plurality of rivets. A portion of the movable contact 41 is engaged by the positive terminal of the battery 33.: as is apparent from Fig. 5. The insulating strips 42, and 43 are connected together by a pin 48 which also serves: as an electrical contact connectcd to. the conductor ill. The pin 43 is arranged to be contacted by the switch blade 41 when the push button i4. is pulled toward the right asvviewed in Figs. 4 and 5. When the push but ton. is pulled toward the left as seen in Figs. 4

and 5 contact is made with the contact 46 thereby to energize the, induction coil'29: A suitable condenser 5|: is effectively. connected across the make an-d break contact 44'.

From the circuit diagram in Fig. 6 it will be seen that when the switch blade 4'! is moved toward. the right the high potential coil 29 i energized by completing an electric circuit through the contact 44 and the primary portion of the induction; coil 29. Energy flowing through the primary winding of the induction coil 29 causes flux to be generated in the magnetic core thereby to. attract the armature 45 and serves to intermm, the circuit of the contact 44. This interruption of. the circuit produces pulses of electrical. energy which produce in the high potential portion of the coil 29 a high potential between ground and thepointed ring 23. Thus high potential' exists between the ring 23 and each of the rings 22 and 25. Since the tubular extension I5 is at ground potential the operator of the prod will feel no electric shock since the-only high potential present is at the head of the prod. When the switch 41 which is actuated by the push button 14 is. moved in the opposite direc tion the bulb 26 may be energized thereby to.

providethe convenience of a guide or flashlight.

From. the. constructions illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 itwill become apparent thatit isrelatively simple toassemble the high potential mechanism of the electric. switch since opposite ends of the induction coil.2'9' are provided withhfiber spool euds which are iri'ctionally engaged by the frame members 39 and 4|. The switch 32 i readily inserted into position by causing the fiber strips 42 and 43 to engage suitable slots in support or frame members 39 and 4|. After these parts have been placed into position the frame members 39 and 41 are inserted into the handle portion II. The switch rod I4 is inserted into the opening and moved into position until the slot in the rod is engaged by the movable switch blade 41. In order to remove the assembly for repair it is only necessary to rotate the switch rod l4 one half turn and withdraw it. Thereupon the rest of the mechanism may be withdrawn from the handle casing II.

From Figure 6 it will be noted that a single electromagnetic winding 29 is provided for the autotransformer inverter. The winding 29 is provided with a magnetic core to form a solenoid structure which actuates an armature 45 to move one of the contacts cooperating with the contacts 44. This arrangement, therefore, is economical of space and materials.

While for the purpose of illustrating and de scribing the present, invention a, preferred-emlbodiment has been illustrated in. the drawings. it;

is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited thereby since such variation inthe components employed and in their arrangementis contemplated as may be commensurate with thespirit and scope of the invention set forth. intheaccompanying claims.

What I desire to protect by United States. Lateters Patent is claimed as'follows:

1. A prod for animals comprising an insulated casing servin as a handle and having'therein a receptacle for a battery, electrical. conductor:

means within said receptacle for contacting-.1 battery, a vibratory inverter of the autotransformer type mounted within said" casinga .for changing direct current from a. battery into high.

potential current. said inverter having av single;

winding and an armature actuated tlzlereby,v a. push button switch biased to open circuit posi-v tion interposed between said battery receptacle and said inverter, a helical spring, a. tubular metal rod oonected to said casing by said helical spring...

an insulator mounted on-the outer extremity of said rod, a plurality of ring electrodes mounted on said insulator and extending exteriorly thereof, and circuit connections between. saidinverter and said electrodes.

2. A prod for animals comprisingan insulating; casing serving as a handle'and having therein a battery receptacle, a switch and a vibratory in verter, electrical conductor means for intercom necting said switch and said inverter with a bat. tery in said receptacle, a tubular rod, a hellcat spring interconnecting said rod and said casing and being electrically connected to said-inverter, an insulator mounted on the free end of said a plurality of ring electrodes mounted onrsaid insulator, one of said electrodes. being connected" by an insulated conductor to said inyerter,,said switchbeing biased to open circuitposition and connected in circuit between: said inverter' and said battery compartment, said inverter comprise.

ing a solenoid having an autotransformer winding which is connected in. circuit: with said switch and in circuit with said: electrodes. 1

3. A prod for animals comprising an insulated. tubular casing: serving as a handle and having therein a battery receptacle, electrical conductor means for. interconnecting a battery in said receptacle with said switch and said inverter, a.

switch and av vibratory inverter; a. tubular. metal rod, a. helical sprin interconnectingsaidi rod. and;

said casing and being electrically connected to said inverter, a split annular insulator mounted on the free end of said rod, a plurality of ring electrodes mounted on said insulator and extending exteriorly thereof, one of said electrodes serv- 5 6 REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Re. 20,298 Roviosky Mar. 16, 1937 362,469 Swan May 3, 1887 1,140,365 Dixon May 25, 1915 1,158,473 Floyd Nov. 2, 1915 1,189,532 Bishop July 4, 1916 2,086,323 Garstang July 6, 1937 2,289,475 Anders July 14, 1942 2,302,787 Meehan Nov. 24, 1942 2,306,638 Meisler Dec. 29, 1942 2,388,625 Wagenkneoht Nov. 6, 1945 2,421,865 Beeman June 10, 1947 

